Book of Angels is soon to be released and I am thrilled to announce that it is an Editor’s Pick with my fabulous editor, Melissa Hosack, Evernight Teen. Find your way deeper into the secrets of the NIGHT ANGELS CHRONICLES with Volume II. Learn more about denizens. Do you know what they are?“A denizen is a foreigner allowed certain rights in an adopted country.”

This is who the Night Angels are and who Sera and her brother Salem become. What, really, does it mean? How at home do you really feel you are in your world? Can you ever escape it for a better one? What is the price that you pay if you do?

How could I not be inspired for NIGHT ANGELS CHRONICLES when images such as this angel in Santa Clara Convent and Church surrounded me?

The month of June found me back in Los Angeles to catch up with my kids and to teach some kick boxing classes. I celebrated July 4th with friends in Calabasas, on a hill overlooking the San Fernando Valley, where so much of NIGHT ANGELS CHRONICLES takes place.

But traveling calls to me! I am in Costa Rica, on beautiful Lake Arenal, writing for three months. Who knows where this experience will lead me?

Above is the view on my run in the little pueblo where I live, my neighborhood. This place is inspiring me as I start to write Volume IV, Land of Talismans.

These books mean so much to me. They are entertaining but they also have a message of unity and they ask the most fundamental questions that all humans want to answer, and yet we cannot find the answer to these questions no matter how hard we search.

Now, as I write this, the tropical rain beats down on the roof and the sound is intense. Lightening strikes and clouds roll across the lake as if preparing for battle. I love this planet with all its diverse beauty. This planet is fine, it is humanity that is messed up! I hope these books can influence a new generation to unite and fight against oppression in all its forms. Travel the world. Find your path. Learn from those who seem different–discover how you are really all the same and celebrate the wonder and artistic expression of your differences. Speak your truth. Stand up against fear and manipulation.

As I quote Alexander Pope at the beginning of Book of Angels, “Aspiring to be gods, angels fell; Aspiring to be angels, men rebel.”

Cemetario General, Sucre. Where we all end up eventually. Little apartment buildings for the dead. Except that Sera escapes this fate. And finds herself embroiled in a curse greater than death.

Walking on the roof of San Filipe Nero Church, I found the answers to some of these questions…..which only led to more questions of a deeper nature. A beautiful journey. And not an easy one. But well worth it.

Writing to me is more than sitting at a computer and obsessing about my stories. What I write about has been greatly influenced by my life experiences. And one of the most important influences has been travel. I’ve been traveling since I was a child and has many amazing adventures as a result. This led me to want to share the power of communication through art and words with children in remote areas around the world. This, MY WORLD PROJECT.

Check out the featured article in Expanded Universe. And please go to the MY WORLD PROJECT Facebook page to find out more about this important work with youth around the world.